Hair coloring device and methods

ABSTRACT

A hair coloring applicator for applying a hair coloring material to one or more strands of hair using a rotating brush. The hair coloring applicator may include one or more brushes rotatably coupled to a body. The body may include a housing having at least one opening for receiving one or more strands of hair. The brush may include a plurality of bristles configured to contact the one or more strands of hair without tangling or snagging the hair. The bristles of the brush receive a hair coloring material and apply the material to strands of hair by contacting the hair. The hair coloring applicator may simultaneously apply one or more colors of hair coloring material to strands of hair.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention is directed generally to hair coloring, and moreparticularly to systems and methods for applying hair coloring materialsto hair.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In modern society, it is not uncommon for people to color theirhair. However, not all hair coloring is alike, nor is all hair coloredfor the same reasons. For instance, middle aged people and seniorcitizens often chose to color their hair so that they appear younger.Women, and some men, sometimes choose to place highlights in their hair.Still yet, other individuals, who typically are young, often choosebright colors to color their hair for many reasons. The hair coloringprocedures used to generate these results are often markedly differentand use different coloring materials. The hair coloring materials may bedyes that may or may not be easily washed from the colored hair withconventional shampoo and water, or other materials.

[0003] For as many reasons exist for a person to color their hair, thereexist nearly as many systems for applying color to hair. For instance,hair may be colored by hair professionals in salons using liquid dyes.The dyes are often thoroughly mixed with the hair by the hands of atechnician or stylist. This process may also be completed at home usingdyes purchased at retail stores. Another system for applying color tohair is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,177, which depicts a cartridgecoupled to a plurality of hollow dispensing tines. The tines resemblethe bristles of a common hair brush. The cartridge includes a pistonthat forces a hair dye through the tines to contact hair while thecartridge is passed through hair as though brushing hair using aconventional hair brush. While these systems provide methods forapplying dye to hair, most of these systems do not facilitate easy touse methods of applying dye to select portions of hair on a person'shead. In addition, most conventional systems involve undesirable contactof a person's hands with hair dyes.

[0004] Thus, a need exists for a hair color applicator capable ofovercoming these and other disadvantages of the conventional systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention relates to a hair coloring applicator for applyinga hair coloring material to one or more strands of hair. The haircoloring material may be formed from one or more colors and from avariety of materials, such as, but not limited to pastels, hair mascara,and others. The hair coloring applicator may include one or more brusheshaving a plurality of bristles. In at least one embodiment, the bristlesmay be angled away from the direction of rotation of the brush. Thebrush may be rotatably coupled to a body and configured to contactstrands of hair without tangling the hair. The body of the hair coloringapplicator may include a housing configured to contain at least aportion of the brush. The housing may include one or more openingsconfigured to receive one or more strands of hair and place the strandsof hair in contact with the bristles of the brush. The hair coloringapplicator may also include at least one device for applying a haircoloring material to the plurality of bristles of the brush.

[0006] In one embodiment, the device for applying a hair coloringmaterial to the bristles may be a cavity in the housing. The cavity maybe configured to contain a cartridge holding a hair coloring material ina position so that the hair coloring material may contact the bristlesof the brush. The cartridge may hold one or more colors of hair coloringmaterial. The cavity may also include a biasing mechanism for biasingthe cartridge towards the bristles of the brush. In another embodiment,the device may be formed from one or more orifices in the housing forreceiving a hair coloring material. In at least one embodiment, theorifice may contain a retention mechanism, such as threads, for engaginga container holding a hair coloring material.

[0007] The hair applicator may also include a deflector for positioningone or more strands of hair in the opening in the housing. The deflectormay form a hair channel between the deflector and the opening in thehousing through which strands of hair may pass. The deflector mayinclude a flat, curved, or other shaped inside surface corresponding toa configuration of the bristles of the brush. The deflector may be movedbetween open and closed positions. In at least one embodiment, thedeflector may be biased towards the closed position, which applies apredetermined amount of pressure to the deflector.

[0008] The brush of the hair coloring applicator may be rotated using adrive device. The drive device may be a crank, a motor, or other devicefor rotating the brush. In embodiments having the motor, the motor maybe coupled to the brush using one or more gears. A power supply may becoupled to the motor. The power source may be one or more batteries, apublicly available power system, or other such device. A switch may beinclude in the body for controlling the motor.

[0009] The body of the hair coloring applicator may include a handle forfacilitating use of the hair coloring applicator. The handle may beergonomically designed to reduce fatigue of a user. In at least oneembodiment, the handle may house the power source and motor. The handlemay be removable to facilitate removal of excess hair coloring materialfrom the housing and brush without jeopardizing the motor and powersource contained in the handle to contact with water. In someembodiments, the brush may be removable for cleaning or replacement, orboth.

[0010] The hair coloring applicator may be used for a variety ofpurposes. For instance, and not by way of limitation, the hair coloringapplicator may be used to add bright colors to hair, which is oftendesirable for clowns, young girls, sports fans, and others. The haircoloring applicator may also be used to color a natural streak of hairon a person that is not the same color as the rest of the hair. Forexample, the hair coloring applicator may be used to add color a streakof gray hair so that the gray streak blends in with the surroundinghair. In another example, the hair coloring applicator may be used toapply a highlight, such as a blonde streak, to a head of hair. In yetanother example, the hair coloring applicator may be used to add streaksof multiple colors to a head of hair. These and other uses will becomeapparent upon review of the enclosed drawings and detailed descriptionbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentlydisclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose theprinciples of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair coloring applicator.

[0013]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hair coloring applicator of FIG.1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front view of a brush of the hair coloring applicator.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a top view of the brush of FIG. 3.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the brush of FIG. 3 taken atline 5-5.

[0017]FIG. 6 is perspective view of another embodiment of the haircoloring applicator.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a top view of a braking mechanism usable with the haircoloring applicator.

[0019]FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the braking mechanism of FIG. 7.

[0020]FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the braking mechanism of FIG. 7.

[0021]FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the braking mechanism of FIG. 7.

[0022]FIG. 11 depicts hair being feed into the hair coloring applicator.

[0023]FIG. 12 depicts a possible results if hair is feed in a backwardsdirection into the hair coloring applicator.

[0024]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment ofthe hair coloring applicator.

[0025]FIG. 14 is an assembled perspective view of the hair coloringapplicator of FIG. 13.

[0026]FIG. 15 is a side view of yet another embodiment of the haircoloring applicator.

[0027]FIG. 16 is a partial front view of the embodiment shown in FIG.15.

[0028]FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of a device for applying abiasing mechanism in a cavity in a housing of the hair coloringapplicator for placing a hair coloring material contained in a cartridgein contact with a brush.

[0029]FIG. 18 is another embodiment of the biasing mechanism of FIG. 17.

[0030]FIG. 19 is yet another embodiment of the biasing mechanism of FIG.17.

[0031]FIG. 20 is another embodiment of the biasing mechanism of FIG. 17.

[0032]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this inventionwith a collection of hair being colored with stripes.

[0033]FIG. 22 is an alternative embodiment of a cartridge for containinga hair coloring material.

[0034]FIG. 23 is another alternative embodiment of a cartridge forcontaining a hair coloring material.

[0035]FIG. 24 is yet another alternative embodiment of a cartridge forcontaining a hair coloring material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] This invention is directed to a hair coloring applicator 10, asshown in FIGS. 1-18. Hair coloring applicator 10 may have numerousconfigurations capable of applying a hair coloring material 44 to one ormore strands of hair. The strands of hair may be human hair foundgrowing from or connected to a human head, strands of hair connected toa wig, hair connected to a device for holding hair, or other hair. Haircoloring device is not limited to coloring only human hair, but may beused to color dolls, animal hair, filaments, and other items.

[0037] Hair coloring applicator 10 may be formed from one or morebrushes 12 having a plurality of bristles 14, as shown in FIGS. 3-5.Brush 12 may be rotatably mounted to a body 16 using shaft 18. Bristles14 may extend from brush 12 and be angled away from the direction ofrotation 20 of brush 12. In at least one embodiment, bristles 14 may bepositioned at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 60 degreesrelative to lines that are generally tangent to a generally circular hub22 forming brush 12 at points where the bristles connect to the hub.Bristles 14 may be formed from any acceptable material, such as, but notlimited to, synthetic materials, such as plastics and other materials.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, bristles 14 are configured to becontained in a housing 24. Bristles 14 extend from hub 22 of brush 12toward an inside surface 26 of housing 24. Housing 24 may contain atleast a portion of brush 12. In one embodiment, housing 24 issubstantially circular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Housing 24 may covera substantial portion of brush 12. The thickness of housing 24 ispreferably at least slightly wider than a thickness of hub 22 of brush12, to avoid unnecessary wear to housing 24 and brush 12. However, haircoloring applicator 10 is not limited to this arrangement. Housing 24may substantially prevent inadvertent contact with bristles 14 whilebrush 12 is rotating and thereby prevent hair coloring material 44 fromcontacting a user's arm, clothing, furniture, or other objects.

[0039] Housing 24 may also include at least one opening 28 for receivingat least one strand of hair. Opening 28 may be formed on an outsidesurface 30 of housing 24. Opening 28 may extend from a front surface 32of housing 24 partially towards a back surface 34 of housing 24, or maycontact the bottom surface. In another embodiment, opening 28 may extendfrom front surface 32 to back surface 34. Opening 28 may have anyconfiguration capable of receiving one or more strands of hair. Opening28 may be generally circular, rectangular, as shown in FIG. 2, or anyother shape.

[0040] Opening 28 may be covered with a deflector 36. Deflector 36 may,in effect, define a hair channel 37. Hair channel 37 may have an inlet39 and an outlet 41, whereby one or more strands of hair may be feedinto hair coloring applicator device 10, contact bristles 14, and exitthrough the outlet. Deflector 36 may be movably coupled to housing 24.In one embodiment, deflector 36 is slidably coupled to housing 24 and iscapable of moving from a closed position, where the deflector maycontact bristles 14 to an open position, where the deflector may beremoved, or substantially removed, from contact with the bristles. Inthis configuration, deflector 36 may be biased towards the closedposition in which the deflector is in contact with bristles 14.Alternatively, deflector 36 may be biased towards the open position andaway from being in contact with bristles 14. In another embodiment,deflector 36 may be rotatably coupled to housing 24 so that thedeflector may be rotated between a closed position, and an openposition. In at least one embodiment, deflector 36 may have a generallyflat inside surface 38. In yet another embodiment, inside surface 38maybe curved to correspond with the radius of curvature of bristles 14of brush 12 or be curved away from the bristles.

[0041] Hair coloring applicator 10 may also include a device 40 forapplying hair coloring material to bristles 14 of brush 12. Device 40may be any device capable of placing a hair coloring material 44 incontact with bristles 14 of brush 12. In at least one embodiment, device40 is a cavity formed in housing 24 for containing a cartridge 42.Cartridge 42 may or may not be disposable. Cartridge 42 may beconfigured in numerous manners. In one embodiment, cartridge 42 may beformed from a base 52, and side walls 54 and 56.

[0042] Cartridge 42 may contain hair coloring material 44 having one ormore colors, which may include, but are not limited to, red, yellow,pink, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, black, any combinations orshades thereof, or others. Hair coloring material 44 having differentcolors may be separated into distinct sections in cartridge 42, whichmay enable the creation of color stripes in strands of hair.Alternatively, hair coloring material 44 may be swirled or otherwisemixed together.

[0043] Cartridge 42 may be configured to contain solid or liquid haircoloring materials 44, or both. For instance, a shown in FIG. 2,cartridge 42 may be configured to receive individual sticks of pastels.The pastels may be installed in cartridge 42 by an end user or during amanufacturing process. Cartridge 42 may also be configured, as shown inFIG. 22, to include a plurality of openings 100. Each opening 100 may beconnected to a cavity for containing a liquid hair coloring material 44.In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, cartridge 42 may include oneor more rollers 102 for dispensing one or more hair coloring materials.Each roller 102 may or may no be coupled to a separate cavity. In yetanother embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, cartridge 42 may include one ormore containers 104, which may or may not be squeezable.

[0044] Hair coloring material 44 may be any material that is colored.Hair coloring material 44 may include, but is not limited to, pastels,powder, paint, hair coloring paste, hair mascara, liquids, chalk,glitter, or other appropriate material. The pastels may be used invarying degrees of hardness, such as, but not limited to, regular, softand very soft, and in at least one embodiment, soft pastels arepreferred. Hair coloring material 44 may be a permanent dye or may benonpermanent and temporary in duration. In at least one embodiment, haircoloring material 44 may also be easily washed out of hair. Haircoloring material 44 may include various scents.

[0045] Cartridge 42 may be held in position in cavity 48 with anyappropriate biasing mechanism 98. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 1 and2, cartridge 42 may be sized to fit tightly with the interior walls ofcavity 48 or may be sized slightly smaller than the distance between theinterior walls of cavity 48. In this configuration, cartridge 42 may fitin cavity 48 and may have little space to move out of position.Cartridge 42 may be advanced towards bristles 14 of brush 12 using anynumber of appropriate materials. For instance, and not by way oflimitation, cartridge 42 may be biased towards brush 12 using biasingmechanism 98, which may be, but is not limited to, one or more springs90, as shown in FIG. 18, a threaded rod 100, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and17, a compressible material 101, such as foam, as shown in FIG. 19,guides 46, as shown in FIG. 20, or other appropriate device.

[0046] In another embodiment, cartridge 42 may be held in position usingone or more guides 46 in cavity 48, as shown in FIG. 13. Guides 46enable cartridge 42 to be placed in a position relative to tips 50 ofbristles 14 so that the tips contact a top surface of the hair coloringmaterial 44 contained in cartridge 42. As bristles 14 wear hair coloringmaterial 44 away from cartridge 42, the cartridge may be repositioned incavity 48 by inserting the cartridge into guides 46 closer to brush 12so that tips 50 of the bristles once again contact hair coloringmaterial 44 in cartridge 42.

[0047] Device 40 may also be at least one orifice 58 for enabling haircoloring material 44 to contact tips 50 of bristles 14. Orifice 58 maybe positioned in any location in housing 24. In one embodiment, as shownin FIG. 6, orifice 58 may be positioned in a side wall of housing 24.Orifice 58 may be sized and configured to allow hair coloring material44 to pass through the orifice and contact bristles 14. In oneembodiment, orifice 58 may be configured to receive one or morecontainers 60. Containers 60 may be disposable bottles. Container 60 mayalso be squeezable, manually or through use of a motorized system, toenable the hair coloring material contained in the container to beexpelled. Container 60 may include a plunger for expelling a haircoloring material 44 contained in the container from the container.Container 60 may also be configured to contain two or more hair coloringmaterials 44 have different colors. Container 60 may include separatecompartments for storing the different hair coloring materials. A flange62 may be coupled to housing 24 proximate to orifice 58 to assist insupporting container 60. In one embodiment, flange 62 may include anattachment mechanism 64 which may be, but is not limited to, threads,ribs, clamps, interference fittings, or other attachment devices.

[0048] Hair coloring applicator 10 may also include a drive device 66coupled to brush 12 for rotating the brush. Drive device 66 may be acrank assembly operable by a user turning the crank. In at least oneother embodiment, drive device 66 may be a motor 68. Motor 68 may be anelectric motor or other appropriate motor. Motor 68 may be coupled toshaft 18 through one or more gears 67. Gear 67 may be used to increaseor decrease the rotational speed of brush 12 relative to motor 68. Gear67 may positioned in any position, such as generally vertical orgenerally horizontal. Motor 68 may be in communication with a powersupply 70. Power supply 70 may be a battery, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 13,or any device coupled to a conventional power supply system, such as awall outlet. If power supply 70 is a battery, the battery may or may notbe rechargeable. Power supply 70 or drive device 66 may be contained ina handle 72 or coupled to hair coloring applicator in another manner.Motor 68 may be controlled using a switch 71. Switch 71 may be anyacceptable switch for turning motor 68 on and off.

[0049] Handle 72 may form a portion of body 16. Handle 72 may or may nothave an ergonomically configured outside surface 74. Outside surface 74may or may not be textured, such as, but not limited to, a knurledsurface. Handle 72 may include a removable lid providing access to theone or more batteries in embodiments of hair coloring applicator usingbatteries. Handle 72 may be formed from one or more colors.

[0050] Hair coloring applicator 10 may also include a braking mechanism74, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, for substantially preventing one or morestrands of hair from passing in a backwards direction through hairchannel 37 and possibly jamming hair coloring applicator 10. In at leastone embodiment, braking mechanism 74 may be formed from one or morelevers 76, as shown in FIG. 8. Lever 76 may be coupled to housing 24proximate to outlet 41. This configuration allow hair to pass out ofoutlet 41, but prevents hair from traveling into the outlet, therebypreventing backwards flow. In another embodiment, braking mechanism 74may be formed from an off-centered wheel, as shown in FIG. 7. Theoff-centered wheel operates much like lever 76 by preventing strands ofhair from passing in a backwards direction through hair channel 37. Inanother embodiment, braking mechanism 74 may be formed from twojuxtaposed levers having a channel passing between the levers, as shownin FIG. 9. In yet another embodiment, braking mechanism 74 may be formedfrom two wheels having a channel passing between the levers, as shown inFIG. 10. In yet another embodiment, braking mechanism 74 may be formedfrom ratcheted wheels. Braking mechanism 74 is not limited to theseembodiments, but may include other mechanisms as well.

[0051] Hair coloring applicator 10 may be formed from anotherembodiment, as shown in an assembled view in FIG. 14-16 and in anexploded view in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, hair coloring applicator10 may include many of the features previously described. Elements thatdiffer from those elements described above are discussed in more detailbelow. For instance, housing 24 may configured to fit around a bottomportion of brush 12. Housing 24 may also include guides 46 forpositioning one or more cartridges 42 in one or more positions. A cover76 may be coupled to housing 24. Cover 76 may be pivotably coupled tohousing 24 at posts 82. In one embodiment, cover 76 may include at leastone viewing window 78 enabling a top surface 80 of brush 12 to be viewedthrough the cover. Viewing window 78 of cover 76 may be an orifice ormay be formed from a relatively clear material. Top surface 80 of brush12 may include graphical depictions, text messages, combinationsthereof, or other visual objects. Top surface 80 may includeadvertisements, instructions, or warnings, in one or more languages.

[0052] Deflector 36 may be configured as describe above, but may alsoinclude retention mechanism 84. Deflector 36 may be configured to fittogether with lower housing 86. Retention mechanism 84 may be sized andconfigured to fit in orifice 88. Orifice 88 may limit the distance oftravel of retention mechanism 84 and thus deflector 36. Deflector 36 maybe biased to a closed position using, for instance, a spring 89.

[0053] Handle 72 may be formed from one or more pieces, as shown in FIG.13. For instance, handle 72 may be formed from at least three pieces;two halves 92 and a bottom member 94. Halves 92 and bottom member 94 maybe assembled using screws, snap fittings, adhesives, or other mechanicalconnectors or chemical bonds or both. Handle 72 may have a curvedconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 15. Body 16 may also include a ring 96for retaining halves 92 together.

[0054] Hair coloring applicator 10 may be used to apply one or more haircoloring materials 44 having one or more colors to strands of hair. Inone embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, hair coloring applicator 10 may beused to form stripes 106 of color hair 108 formed from colors A, B, andC. Hair coloring material 44 should be placed in a position to contactbristles 14 of brush 12. One or more strands of hair may be separatedfrom other strands of hair. In one or more embodiments, a liquid may beapplied to the collection of hair. The liquid may be water, hair spray,alcohol, any combination thereof, or other liquids capable offacilitating the transfer of hair coloring material 44 from bristles 14to strands of hair. The liquid may be used to dissolve hair coloringmaterial 44 when, for instance, the hair coloring material is in solidform, such as a powder.

[0055] Use of the liquid facilitates transfer of a hair coloringmaterial 44 to strands of hair and may increase the aesthetic qualitiesof the strands of hair to which the hair coloring material has beenapplied. For instance, in one or more embodiments where hair coloringmaterial 44 is a powder, the liquid may prevent strands of hair to whichthe hair coloring material has been applied from appearing chalky. Theliquid may also include an adhesive, which may be a fixative, foradhering particles of hair coloring material 44 to strands of hair. Theadhesive may be of varying strength. In at least one embodiment, theadhesive may keep the fixative adhered to strands of hair until the hairis washed.

[0056] One or more strands of hair may be placed in opening 28 ofhousing 24 so that the strands of hair feed into the opening, contactone or more bristles 14 of brush 12, and exit the opening. Inembodiments having hair channel 37, one or more strands of hair may beplaced in hair channel 37. While one or more strands or hair may be usedin at least one embodiment, hair coloring applicator 10 may apply colorto a collection of strands of hair that is about one inch wide by about{fraction (1/32)} of an inch in thickness. The capacity of hair coloringapplicator may vary and is not limited to this size collection of hair.

[0057] Strands of hair may be placed into hair coloring applicator 10while the applicator is proximate to a head, wig or other fixtureholding the strands of hair to color substantially an entire length ofthe strands of hair. Alternatively, hair coloring applicator 10 may bepositioned anywhere along the length of the strands of hair. To preventthe strands of hair from becoming entangled in brush 12, as shown inFIG. 12, the strands of hair can be held taut by pulling on the end ofthe strands of hair not coupled to a head, wig, or another stationarydevice. In addition, a force may be applied to deflector 36 to pressagainst the strands of hair and against bristles 14 to enhance thetransportation of hair coloring material from the bristles to the hairand to prevent the strands of hair from moving outside of hair channel37, thereby reducing the likelihood that strands of hair will be becomeentangled in brush 12. In one embodiment, this force is applied by aspring or other biasing mechanism.

[0058] Hair coloring applicator 10 may begin transferring hair coloringmaterial from bristles 14 to strands of hair by rotating brush 12 whilethe strands of hair are in contact with the bristles. Brush 12 may berotated using drive device 66, which may be motor 68, a crank, or otherdevice. While using one or more embodiments containing motor 68, switch71 may be actuated to control motor 68. Hair coloring applicator 10should be pulled in a direction that is generally away from a head, wig,or other device holding hair to prevent strands of hair from becomingtangled in the hair coloring applicator. In addition, hair should befeed through inlet 39, as shown in FIG. 11, not through outlet 41, asshown in FIG. 12.

[0059] Brush 12 may be rotated continuously until hair coloring materialhas been applied to a desired portion of hair. If the embodiment beingused contains cartridge 42, the level of hair coloring material 44should be monitored to ensure that the hair coloring material remains incontact with bristles 14. Cartridge 42 may be biased towards bristles14, thereby eliminating the need for hair coloring material 44 to bemonitored. However, in at least one embodiment, hair coloring material44 of cartridge 42 may be kept in contact with bristles 14 using amanually actuated device, such as, but not limited to, a threaded rod,as shown in FIG. 17, springs 90, as shown in FIG. 18, a compressiblematerial 101, such as foam, as shown in FIG. 19, guides 46, as shown inFIG. 20, or other devices.

[0060] Brush 12 may be removed from hair coloring applicator 10 to cleanhair coloring material 44 from bristles 14. Brush 12 may be placed in asolvent or other material to remove hair coloring material 44. Brush 12may be cleaned during use, such as when a different color of haircoloring material 44 is desired to be applied to strands of hair, orafter use before hair coloring applicator 10 is stored. Brush 12 alsomay be replaceable. In one embodiment, handle 72 may be detachable sothat brush 12, housing 24, and other components may be cleaned withoutthe possibility of damaging motor 68 contained in the handle whilecleaning the brush.

[0061] The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating,explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modificationsand adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilledin the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit ofthis invention.

We claim:
 1. A hair coloring applicator, comprising: at least one brushhaving a plurality of bristles, wherein the at least one brush isrotatably coupled to a body; wherein the body includes a housingconfigured to contain at least a portion of the at least one brush; andwherein the housing includes at least one opening for receiving at leastone strand of hair and placing the at least one strand of hair incontact with at least one of the plurality of bristles, and the housingincludes at least one device for applying a hair coloring material tothe plurality of bristles.
 2. The hair coloring applicator of claim 1,wherein the at least one device for applying a hair coloring material tothe plurality of bristles comprises a cavity for containing a haircoloring material dispensing cartridge.
 3. The hair coloring applicatorof claim 2, further comprising a biasing mechanism for biasing a haircoloring material dispensing cartridge positioned in the cavity towardsthe at least one brush to keep a hair coloring material contained in thehair coloring material dispensing cartridge in contact with at least oneof the plurality of brushes contained in the hair coloring materialdispensing cartridge.
 4. The hair coloring applicator of claim 3,wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring.
 5. The hair coloringapplicator of claim 3, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises athreaded rod.
 6. The hair coloring applicator of claim 2, wherein thecavity comprises a plurality of guides for positioning a hair coloringmaterial dispensing cartridge so that the bristles of the brush contactthe hair coloring material contained in the hair coloring materialdispensing cartridge.
 7. The hair coloring applicator of claim 1,wherein the at least one device for applying a hair coloring material tothe plurality of bristles comprises at least one orifice in the housingfor receiving a hair coloring material and allowing the hair coloringmaterial to contact at least one bristle of the at least one brush. 8.The hair coloring applicator of claim 7, further comprising a flangecoupled to the housing proximate to the orifice for supporting acontainer capable of storing hair coloring material.
 9. The haircoloring applicator of claim 1, wherein at least some of the pluralityof bristles of the at least one brush are angled away from a directionof rotation of the at least one brush.
 10. The hair coloring applicatorof claim 9, wherein the plurality of bristles of the at least one brushare angled away from a direction of rotation of the at least one brush.11. The hair coloring applicator of claim 9, wherein the plurality ofbristles of the at least one brush are positioned at angles betweenabout 30 degrees and about 60 degrees relative to lines tangent to agenerally circular hub forming the at least one brush at points wherethe bristles connect to the generally circular housing.
 12. The haircoloring applicator of claim 1, further comprising a deflector movablycoupled to the body for placing at least one strand of hair in contactwith at least one of the plurality of bristles.
 13. The hair coloringapplicator of claim 12, wherein the deflector comprises a substantiallyflat inside surface.
 14. The hair coloring applicator of claim 12,wherein the deflector is biased toward the at least one brush.
 15. Thehair coloring applicator of claim 1, further comprising a motor forrotating the at least one brush.
 16. The hair coloring applicator ofclaim 15, further comprising a gear assembly configured to couple themotor to a shaft coupled to the at least one brush.
 17. The haircoloring applicator of claim 16, further comprising a power source. 18.The hair coloring applicator of claim 17, wherein the power source is atleast one battery.
 19. The hair coloring applicator of claim 1, whereinthe at least one device for applying a hair coloring material to theplurality of bristles comprises a container releasably coupled to thehousing.
 20. The hair coloring applicator of claim 19, wherein thecontainer is squeezable.
 21. The hair coloring applicator of claim 19,further comprising a plunger.
 22. The hair coloring applicator of claim1, further comprising a braking mechanism for substantially preventingthe at least one strand of hair from traveling backwards through the atleast one opening.
 23. The hair coloring applicator of claim 22, whereinthe braking mechanism comprises at least one lever arm coupled to thehousing.
 24. The hair coloring applicator of claim 22, wherein thebraking mechanism comprises at least one off-centered wheel.
 25. Thehair coloring applicator of claim 22, wherein the braking mechanismcomprises at least two juxtaposed wheels.
 26. A method for applying haircoloring material to hair, comprising: positioning at least one strandof hair in an opening of a hair coloring applicator; wherein the haircoloring applicator comprises: at least one brush having a plurality ofbristles, wherein the at least one brush is rotatably coupled to a body;wherein the body includes a housing configured to contain at least aportion of the at least one brush; and wherein the housing includes atleast one opening for receiving at least one strand of hair and placingthe at least one strand of hair in contact with at least one of theplurality of bristles, and the housing includes at least one device forapplying a hair coloring material to the plurality of bristles;contacting at least one of the plurality of bristles of the at least onebrush with the hair coloring material formed from at least one color;and rotating the at least one brush containing the hair coloringmaterial while at least one of the plurality of bristles is in contactwith the at least one strand of hair.
 27. The method of claim 26,further comprising applying a liquid to the at least one strand of hair.28. The method of claim 26, wherein applying the liquid comprisesapplying water to the at least one strand of hair.
 29. The method ofclaim 26, wherein rotating the at least one brush further comprisesactuating a switch.
 30. The method of claim 26, wherein positioning atleast one strand of hair in an opening of a hair coloring applicatorfurther comprises collecting a plurality of strands of hair.
 31. Themethod of claim 30, further comprising positioning the hair coloringapplicator proximate to a head to which the plurality of strands of hairare connected and moving the hair coloring applicator away from thehead.
 32. The method of claim 30, further comprising applying a force toa deflector to press the at least one strand of hair against the atleast one brush to substantially prevent the at least one strand of hairfrom tangling and to facilitate transportation of hair coloring materialfrom at least one of the plurality of bristles to the at least onestrand of hair.
 33. The method of claim 26, wherein the hair coloringmaterial comprises a plurality of colors.
 34. The method of claim 26,wherein the hair coloring material comprises hair mascara.
 35. A haircoloring applicator, comprising: at least one brush rotatably coupled toa body and formed from a plurality of bristles; a means for contacting ahair coloring material with at least one of the plurality of bristles ofthe at least one brush; a means for placing at least one strand of hairin contact with at least one of the plurality of bristles of the atleast one brush.
 36. The hair coloring applicator of claim 35, whereinthe means for contacting a hair coloring material with at least one ofthe plurality of bristles of the at least one brush comprises a cavityin a housing for positioning a cartridge containing a hair coloringmaterial.
 37. The hair coloring applicator of claim 36, wherein thecavity includes at least one guide for retaining the cartridge.
 38. Thehair coloring applicator of claim 35, wherein the means for contacting ahair coloring material with at least one of the plurality of bristles ofthe at least one brush comprises an orifice in a housing for receiving ahair coloring material.
 39. The hair coloring applicator of claim 35,further comprising a biasing mechanism for moving the cartridge so thatthe hair coloring material contacts at least one of the plurality ofbristles of the at least one brush.
 40. The hair coloring applicator ofclaim 39, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring.
 41. The haircoloring applicator of claim 39, wherein the biasing mechanism comprisesa threaded rod.
 42. The hair coloring applicator of claim 35, whereinthe means for placing at least one strand of hair in contact with atleast one of the plurality of bristles of the at least one brushcomprises at least one opening in a housing surrounding at least aportion of the at least one brush for receiving the at least one strandof hair.
 43. The hair coloring applicator of claim 42, wherein the atleast one opening forms a channel with the housing and a deflectormovably coupled to the housing, whereby the channel is configured toreceive at least one strand of hair.
 44. The hair coloring applicator ofclaim 43, wherein the deflector is slidably connected to the housing andis capable of applying a force to the at least one strand of hair toprevent the at least one strand of hair from tangling while the at leastone brush is rotating.
 45. A brush for applying a hair coloringmaterial, comprising: a hub configured to be coupled to a shaft; aplurality of bristles coupled to the hub so that at least a portion ofthe bristles extend from the hub and away from a direction of rotationof the hub.
 46. The brush for applying a hair coloring material of claim45, wherein substantially all of the bristles are positioned at an anglebetween about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees relative to lines tangentto a generally circular hub forming the at least one brush at pointswhere the bristles connect to the generally circular housing.
 47. Thebrush for applying a hair coloring material of claim 45, furthercomprising a top surface on hub.
 48. The brush for applying a haircoloring material of claim 47, wherein the top surface may include text.49. The brush for applying a hair coloring material of claim 47, whereinthe top surface may include graphical designs.